October 11, 2007
Toledo Bend Fishing Report
Greg Crafts-Guide, Toledo Bend Guide Service And Lake Cottage
936.368.7151
gcrafts@bigfoot.com www.toledobendguide.com
The lake is 167.95 ft msl; high pool is 172 ft msl. Both generators are shut down in accordance with the new operating guidelines. Once the lake level reaches 168msl generation ceases. The lake is in great shape with slightly stained water on the very north end of the lake and clear as you head south. Temps are running in the low 80s but should start dropping with the recent cool front.
The fall is my favorite time of the year to be fishing on Toledo Bend. A lot of people ask me, " When is the best time to come fishing on Toledo Bend?" and of course my answer is, "Any time you can get away." But truthfully, along with all the glorious surroundings that nature offers while we are on the water, the fall season is one of the most productive fishing periods of the year. The weather is usually comfortable with cool mornings, warm afternoons, spectacular vistas from the foliage, and magnificent sunrises. Fish of every kind are usually trying to jump in the boat. The Black and White bass will be feeding heavy in anticipation of winter, and the Crappie here on the north end of the lake will be moving to the river channel ledges ganging up on natural and man made cover. It's fishing time on Toledo Bend, and if you like to catch fish, it is a great time to be on the water.
As the water temperature starts to drop the shad will start moving into the coves and the bass will follow. Watch for schooling activity and keep a top water plug, spinner bait, buzz bait, trap or shallow running crank bait handy. For bigger fish throw a worm, jig, spoon or tail spinner under the schooling bass. Finesse plastics (Trick Worms, Flukes, and Senkos) fished along shallow grass lines close to deep water will also be very productive. Areas to concentrate are main lake points, river channel shelf and ledges, the mouth of the major creeks and coves, and creek shelf and ledges.
The White bass will be holding on the main lake river channel sandbars.
Slab spoons, tail spinners, and crank baits will all be productive.
Watch for the gulls dive bombing the bait fish to locate the schooling activity and keep a lipless crank bait and top water plug handy.
Whether you call them Crappie, sac-au-lait, White Perch or paper mouths, anglers from all over the country will be heading to the Bend to pursue our world famous fall/winter Crappie season. In fact, the majority of the anglers this time of year will be fishing for our perch. The fish will gang up on the ledges of the old river channel ledges. Shiners and jigs are the key to loading up an ice chest.
--
Greg Crafts
Toledo Bend Guide Service & Lake Cottage
159 Toledo Forest
Shelbyville, TX 75973
936.368.7151
www.toledobendguide.com
gcrafts@bigfoot.com